Alpha Phi Foundation Doubles Amount of Heart to Heart Grant

Evanston, IL – October 15, 2013 – The Evanston–based Alpha Phi Foundation announced this week that it will increase the value of its annual Heart to Heart Grant to $100,000. Introduced in 1993, the Heart to Heart Grant funds research and educational programs that support the improvement of women’s heart health. Previously, grants of $50,000 have been awarded through Alpha Phi Foundation to medical professionals to better understand heart disease in women – specifically its symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Beginning with the 2014 Heart to Heart Grant, Alpha Phi Foundation will present one $100,000 award annually. This increase reflects the Foundation’s commitment to raising awareness of a healthy lifestyle and contributing to the research of women’s heart disease, as well as the generosity of its donors.

“Cardiovascular disease is a serious issue and continues to be the leading cause of death in women around the world,” said Alpha Phi Foundation Executive Director, Ann Carstensen. “As we marked the 20th Anniversary of our Heart to Heart Grant, we wanted to enhance our role in lessening the risks and incidence of women’s heart disease. Thanks to the generosity of our donors who also believe in the research and education we’re funding, we are doubling the value of our Heart to Heart Grant, and hopefully our impact too.”

To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $700,000 in Heart to Heart Grants, enabling health care professionals to better understand gender differences in heart health and increasing their expertise in heart disease prevention and treatment in women.

Past recipients include the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University of Colorado Hospital, the Oregon Health & Sciences University Foundation, Saint Luke’s Hospital Foundation, University of Washington, and most recently Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation and Texas Heart Institute, which for 23 consecutive years has been named one of the top 10 heart centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The Heart to Heart Grant is available exclusively to non-profit organizations and institutions. Applications are currently available on the Foundation’s website at www.alphaphifoundation.org. The deadline to submit applications is December 9, 2013, at midnight CST. The recipient will be announced late February 2014.

The Heart to Heart Grant is made possible by individual donors, corporations, and a portion of proceeds from collegiate and alumnae chapter Red Dress events.

Share this story!

Why I Give

Whether you’ve experienced the impact of leadership development, a scholarship, an assistance grant or simply believe in the importance of heart health research and preserving our heritage, we invite you to share your why.